Atan Burhagohain
Encyclopedia
Atan Burhagohain was one of the most influential Burhagohain
s in the nearly 600 years of the Ahom kingdom
. Atan Burhagohain Rajmantri Dangaria was the Prime Minister of Assam for more than seventeen years, January 1662 to March 1679. During this period Assam passed through a series of crisis in the shape of foreign invasions and internal disruptions; and Atan Burhagohain conducted the affairs with rare foresight, probity and judgment, and patriotism. The versatile qualities of the Burhagoain and the proof that he gave of his lofty and noble ideals made him the darling of the people and kings,potentates and the populace were united in showering tokens of their admiration and respect on this man of their country's destiny. Twice the crown was offered to him which he did twice refuse, saying,-- " It does not behove a minister to become a monarch. Kingship should go to the scion of a royal family, and saintship to the descendant of a saint."
Appointed as the Prime Minister in January 1662, at the time Garhgaon
was occupied by Mir Jumla, he oversaw the military resistance to the Mughal
general, negotiated the Treaty of Ghilajharighat
, planned the rejuvenation of the Ahom kingdom and was one of the architects of the Ahom victory at the Battle of Saraighat
. He was known for his military tactics of guerrilla warfare that came to be known as daga juddha, and also for his statesmanship and wise counsel. He was appointed the Rajmantri Dangaria (Prime Minister) by the Ahom king
Chakradhwaj Singha, and in the turmoil following the excesses of Debera Borbarua he was offered the Ahom throne itself, which he refused. Despite his wisdom and keen political sense, he was unable to see through the treachery of Laluk Sola Borphukan, and was murdered by the Borphukan's henchmen in 1679.
According to the Buranji
s the Burhagohain was tall in stature, and his strides resembled the steps of a goose. His face was broad, and he had two moles on the forehead. He was ruddy in complexion. He wore a buffalo-coloured gati or a cloth tightly wrapped round the body with two ends made into a knot near the waist and he carried a big hengdang
or sword. Since he belonged to the Bahgaria clan, he is generally referred to as Bahgaria Atan Burhagohain.
. The Prime Minister was personally in charge of the command of the northern division of the Ahom army on the north bank of Guwahati. His camp was situated at Lathia Parvat, and he had with him 80 chor-bachas or commando soldiers in his Pali (meaning a unit of command under a commander in Assamese
).
From his base at Lathia fort he initiated a campaign of guerrilla attacks on the Mughals
employing many well known commandos—Lai, Lechai, Chili, Mabi, Mari, Achor, Tunai, Baduli, and other spies who entered the enemy's camps at night and removed their treasures, money and disabled their arms.
Atan Burhagohain was also a highly skilled military engineer and after the occupation of Gauhati he was directed by the King to oversee the construction the necessary fortification on both banks of Brahmaputra. Before the final Saraighat battle, on seeing the fortification and preparation of the Ahom army, Raja Ram Singha commented to his lieutenant Rashid Khan:"Forts have been constructed by the Ahoms on tops of hills, and the outlying plains are also too narrow for the purpose of an open engagement. It is for this reason that the Assamese had proved invincible in their wars against foreigners. The fortifications are intricate and complex, and to each fort there are three passages. The enemy is beyond the reach of our heavy artillery; and there is no opportunity for fighting with arrows and guns. Their ministers, commanders and infantry are all to be admired for having constructed such an impregnable wall of defence." This conversation was communicated to the Ahoms by a traveller named Hangalbhanga Laskar. On hearing this the Premier Atan Burhagohain promulgated this message to the army: "You are to note carefully that at the sight of our fortifications demoralisation has already started in the enemy's camp. His enthusiasm is already on the wane. The Barphukan should only remain inviolate in his command, and we shall fight to the last drop of our blood."
. Immediately upon ascending the throne King Chakradhwaj Singha was impatient and contemplated immediate attack on the Mughal
forces. He pleaded with the King that such attack would be suicidal, that first they should properly train the army, build the armory, stock food provisions and other war material as the hostilities may continue for a number of years. He addressed the king and his councillors on this occasion---"It is the legitimate duty of a sovereign to restore the old limits of his dominions by defeating and destroying his enemies. His success in war can alone enhance his glory and renown. So, His Majesty's proposal is just and proper. We have been enjoying absolute and uninterrupted sovereignty from time immemorial, and the high-handed imperiousness of the Mughals has transcended the limits of our forbearance. His Majesty has only voiced the sentiments of his ministers when he declares that we should fall upon the Mughals this very moment if possible. But we must provide the army with sufficient quantity of food provisions and war materials, and must hold in stock sufficient reserve to enable us to replenish the stores of the expeditionary army as soon as they become empty. This task of supplying reinforcements will become a matter of frequent occurrence."
"The country has become depopulated owing to the flight of the villagers from their homes during the last war with Mir Jumla. His Majesty has recently procured their return to their country and settled them in different places. We shall have to enquire whether these people have been able to obtain rice and food." He said “sakalo dravyat thaki chaul kotha he prodhan” ("rice is the most indispensable and important of all the items"). Long before Napoleon stated that "an Army marches on its stomach.”, Atan Burhagohain realised this and convinced his king to make necessary preparations.
Atan Burhagohain further pleaded "A kari paikor a humble subject of Your Majesty buys an earthen pot to boil his course rice for trifling sum of two couries. Lest the rice and the pot, the total value of which will not, in any case, exceed twenty couries or one pice, be spoiled, he tests the soundness of the vessel by striking it with the fingers at the bottom and the sides two or three times before making the purchase. A bird erects a nest on high where she hatches to life her young ones. She takes them round from one bough to another after they have grown up a bit. They are brought down to the ground when they can fly. If they are let loose before they become full fledged they are eaten up by dogs and jackals. The mother-bird leaves them only after they can pick up and eat their food themselves."
"Similarly, when the three batches of rowers, posted at the middle and the two extremities of Your Majesty's barge, strike their oars simultaneously, the sight becomes beautiful to look at, the oarsmen feel spirited, the boat moves swiftly, and the helmsman wields the steering with ease and comfort. But, if on the other hand, there is no harmony and synchronism in the strokes of the three batches of rowers, the helmsman is inconvenienced in steering his shaft, the boat does not make any headway, and the spectators are far from being delighted. If the king directs his measures on the lines indicated above then only he will be able to vanquish his enemies and extend his territories to the old limits." The farsighted counsel of the Prime Minister roused the Monarch to a consciousness of the realities of the situation and extensive preparation was made for two years before the onslaught on the Mughals.
After the reoccupation of Gauhati by the Ahoms, Atan Burhagohain was appointed by the king to erect the necessary fortification on both banks of Brahmaputra, strengthen them, stock them with provisions and men. Lachit Borphukan
was asked to post a contingent of soldiers at each strategic point under an able commander. Under the Premier's supervision the civil administration of Kamrup was reorganised on sound footing, and Chaudhuris and Patwaries were appointed to realise the stipulated jaigiri-dhan or land revenue. The administration of the pargana
s of Kamrup
was vested under various senior officers—Barphukan (Darang, Barbhag and Bangeswar), Paniphukan (Khata and Banbhag), Duara Phukan (Pubpar and Paschimpar), Deka Phukan(Sarubangsar and Kachari-mahal), Chetia Phukan (Ramsa and Sarukhetri), Dayangia Rajkhowa (Bar Khetri), Tar-Salagarua Rajkhowa (Barhanti), Dikhowmukhia Rajkhowa (Chamaria), Pani-Salaguria Rajkhowa (Nagarberha), Pani-Dihingia Rajkhowa (Bagaribari), Tarua-Dihingia Rajkhowa (Barpeta), Namdangia Rajkhowa (Barnagar), Pani-Abhoypuria Rajkhowa (Bajali), Bar-Abhoypuria Rajkhowa (Bekeli) and Saru-Abhoypuria Rajkhowa (Bausi).
During the war, Raja Ram Singh asked his envoy Panditrai--"Well, Panditrai during your visit to Barphukan's camp you must have formed some impression of the Ahom ministers and commanders. Please tell me what you have seen and what you think of them." To this Panditrai replied,--"The Barpatra Gohain, the Bargohain and the Barphukan have all impressed me as wonderfully capable commanders presenting a rare combination of beauty, accomplishment, valour and wisdom. As to Buragohain he is young in years, fair and handsome in features, sober and deep in intelligence, dexterous in all matters, and he rivals all others in soundness of his counsel." Ram Singha commented "It is really wonderful that a man can be so intelligent at this tender age." Panditrai added " The Buragohain is also an arch-diplomat
." Ram Singha concluded "Who will able to cope with such a minister when he comes to years? Pride should be the heritage of that land where such a counsellor has taken his birth."
Burhagohain
Burhagohain was the first of the two original counsellors in the Ahom kingdom. He was selected by the Ahom king from members of the Ahom nobility , who was not eligible for the position of Ahom kingship. The other original counsellor is the Borgohain. Both the positions existed from the time of...
s in the nearly 600 years of the Ahom kingdom
Ahom kingdom
The Ahom Kingdom was a medieval kingdom in the Brahmaputra valley in Assam that maintained its sovereignty for nearly 600 years and successfully resisted Mughal expansion in North-East India...
. Atan Burhagohain Rajmantri Dangaria was the Prime Minister of Assam for more than seventeen years, January 1662 to March 1679. During this period Assam passed through a series of crisis in the shape of foreign invasions and internal disruptions; and Atan Burhagohain conducted the affairs with rare foresight, probity and judgment, and patriotism. The versatile qualities of the Burhagoain and the proof that he gave of his lofty and noble ideals made him the darling of the people and kings,potentates and the populace were united in showering tokens of their admiration and respect on this man of their country's destiny. Twice the crown was offered to him which he did twice refuse, saying,-- " It does not behove a minister to become a monarch. Kingship should go to the scion of a royal family, and saintship to the descendant of a saint."
Appointed as the Prime Minister in January 1662, at the time Garhgaon
Garhgaon
Garhgaon was the capital of the Ahom kingdom for many years. It was built by the Ahom king Suklenmung in 1540. It lies 13 km east of present-day Sibsagar town. The palace structures were made of wood and stones...
was occupied by Mir Jumla, he oversaw the military resistance to the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
general, negotiated the Treaty of Ghilajharighat
Treaty of Ghilajharighat
The Treaty of Ghilajharighat, Tipam, was signed between the Ahoms and the Mughal forces led by Mir Jumla on January 23, 1663. The treaty brought Mir Jumla's occupation of the Ahom capital, Garhgaon, to an end.-Terms:...
, planned the rejuvenation of the Ahom kingdom and was one of the architects of the Ahom victory at the Battle of Saraighat
Battle of Saraighat
The Battle of Saraighat was fought in 1671 between the Mughal empire , and the Ahom Kingdom on the Brahmaputra river at Saraighat, now in Guwahati...
. He was known for his military tactics of guerrilla warfare that came to be known as daga juddha, and also for his statesmanship and wise counsel. He was appointed the Rajmantri Dangaria (Prime Minister) by the Ahom king
Ahom Dynasty
The Ahom Dynasty ruled the Ahom Kingdom in present-day Assam for nearly 600 years. The dynasty was established by Sukaphaa, a Shan prince of Mong Mao who came to Assam after crossing the Patkai mountains...
Chakradhwaj Singha, and in the turmoil following the excesses of Debera Borbarua he was offered the Ahom throne itself, which he refused. Despite his wisdom and keen political sense, he was unable to see through the treachery of Laluk Sola Borphukan, and was murdered by the Borphukan's henchmen in 1679.
According to the Buranji
Buranji
Buranjis are a class of historical chronicles written in the Ahom and Assamese languages. The first such Buranji was written on the instructions of the first Ahom king Sukaphaa who established the Ahom kingdom in 1228...
s the Burhagohain was tall in stature, and his strides resembled the steps of a goose. His face was broad, and he had two moles on the forehead. He was ruddy in complexion. He wore a buffalo-coloured gati or a cloth tightly wrapped round the body with two ends made into a knot near the waist and he carried a big hengdang
Hengdang
The Hengdang is a single edged sword with a long handle used by the Ahoms in India. The handle and the scabbard were designed in gold, silver or wood, according to the position of the person. It is similar in many ways to the samurai sword or katana. It has ceremonial use today in the Ahom wedding....
or sword. Since he belonged to the Bahgaria clan, he is generally referred to as Bahgaria Atan Burhagohain.
Military
Atan Burhagohain was one of the key person in the victory of the Assamese in the Battle of SaraighatBattle of Saraighat
The Battle of Saraighat was fought in 1671 between the Mughal empire , and the Ahom Kingdom on the Brahmaputra river at Saraighat, now in Guwahati...
. The Prime Minister was personally in charge of the command of the northern division of the Ahom army on the north bank of Guwahati. His camp was situated at Lathia Parvat, and he had with him 80 chor-bachas or commando soldiers in his Pali (meaning a unit of command under a commander in Assamese
Assamese language
Assamese is the easternmost Indo-Aryan language. It is used mainly in the state of Assam in North-East India. It is also the official language of Assam. It is also spoken in parts of Arunachal Pradesh and other northeast Indian states. Nagamese, an Assamese-based Creole language is widely used in...
).
From his base at Lathia fort he initiated a campaign of guerrilla attacks on the Mughals
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
employing many well known commandos—Lai, Lechai, Chili, Mabi, Mari, Achor, Tunai, Baduli, and other spies who entered the enemy's camps at night and removed their treasures, money and disabled their arms.
Atan Burhagohain was also a highly skilled military engineer and after the occupation of Gauhati he was directed by the King to oversee the construction the necessary fortification on both banks of Brahmaputra. Before the final Saraighat battle, on seeing the fortification and preparation of the Ahom army, Raja Ram Singha commented to his lieutenant Rashid Khan:"Forts have been constructed by the Ahoms on tops of hills, and the outlying plains are also too narrow for the purpose of an open engagement. It is for this reason that the Assamese had proved invincible in their wars against foreigners. The fortifications are intricate and complex, and to each fort there are three passages. The enemy is beyond the reach of our heavy artillery; and there is no opportunity for fighting with arrows and guns. Their ministers, commanders and infantry are all to be admired for having constructed such an impregnable wall of defence." This conversation was communicated to the Ahoms by a traveller named Hangalbhanga Laskar. On hearing this the Premier Atan Burhagohain promulgated this message to the army: "You are to note carefully that at the sight of our fortifications demoralisation has already started in the enemy's camp. His enthusiasm is already on the wane. The Barphukan should only remain inviolate in his command, and we shall fight to the last drop of our blood."
Statesmanship
Atan Burhagohain was not only a highly trained soldier, he was also an able administrator and astute statesmanStatesman
A statesman is usually a politician or other notable public figure who has had a long and respected career in politics or government at the national and international level. As a term of respect, it is usually left to supporters or commentators to use the term...
. Immediately upon ascending the throne King Chakradhwaj Singha was impatient and contemplated immediate attack on the Mughal
Mughal Empire
The Mughal Empire , or Mogul Empire in traditional English usage, was an imperial power from the Indian Subcontinent. The Mughal emperors were descendants of the Timurids...
forces. He pleaded with the King that such attack would be suicidal, that first they should properly train the army, build the armory, stock food provisions and other war material as the hostilities may continue for a number of years. He addressed the king and his councillors on this occasion---"It is the legitimate duty of a sovereign to restore the old limits of his dominions by defeating and destroying his enemies. His success in war can alone enhance his glory and renown. So, His Majesty's proposal is just and proper. We have been enjoying absolute and uninterrupted sovereignty from time immemorial, and the high-handed imperiousness of the Mughals has transcended the limits of our forbearance. His Majesty has only voiced the sentiments of his ministers when he declares that we should fall upon the Mughals this very moment if possible. But we must provide the army with sufficient quantity of food provisions and war materials, and must hold in stock sufficient reserve to enable us to replenish the stores of the expeditionary army as soon as they become empty. This task of supplying reinforcements will become a matter of frequent occurrence."
"The country has become depopulated owing to the flight of the villagers from their homes during the last war with Mir Jumla. His Majesty has recently procured their return to their country and settled them in different places. We shall have to enquire whether these people have been able to obtain rice and food." He said “sakalo dravyat thaki chaul kotha he prodhan” ("rice is the most indispensable and important of all the items"). Long before Napoleon stated that "an Army marches on its stomach.”, Atan Burhagohain realised this and convinced his king to make necessary preparations.
Atan Burhagohain further pleaded "A kari paikor a humble subject of Your Majesty buys an earthen pot to boil his course rice for trifling sum of two couries. Lest the rice and the pot, the total value of which will not, in any case, exceed twenty couries or one pice, be spoiled, he tests the soundness of the vessel by striking it with the fingers at the bottom and the sides two or three times before making the purchase. A bird erects a nest on high where she hatches to life her young ones. She takes them round from one bough to another after they have grown up a bit. They are brought down to the ground when they can fly. If they are let loose before they become full fledged they are eaten up by dogs and jackals. The mother-bird leaves them only after they can pick up and eat their food themselves."
"Similarly, when the three batches of rowers, posted at the middle and the two extremities of Your Majesty's barge, strike their oars simultaneously, the sight becomes beautiful to look at, the oarsmen feel spirited, the boat moves swiftly, and the helmsman wields the steering with ease and comfort. But, if on the other hand, there is no harmony and synchronism in the strokes of the three batches of rowers, the helmsman is inconvenienced in steering his shaft, the boat does not make any headway, and the spectators are far from being delighted. If the king directs his measures on the lines indicated above then only he will be able to vanquish his enemies and extend his territories to the old limits." The farsighted counsel of the Prime Minister roused the Monarch to a consciousness of the realities of the situation and extensive preparation was made for two years before the onslaught on the Mughals.
After the reoccupation of Gauhati by the Ahoms, Atan Burhagohain was appointed by the king to erect the necessary fortification on both banks of Brahmaputra, strengthen them, stock them with provisions and men. Lachit Borphukan
Lachit Borphukan
Lachit Borphukan was a commander and Borphukan in the Ahom kingdom known for his leadership in the 1671 Battle of Saraighat that thwarted a drawn out attempt by Mughal forces under the command of Ramsingh I to take back Kamrup...
was asked to post a contingent of soldiers at each strategic point under an able commander. Under the Premier's supervision the civil administration of Kamrup was reorganised on sound footing, and Chaudhuris and Patwaries were appointed to realise the stipulated jaigiri-dhan or land revenue. The administration of the pargana
Pargana
A pargana is a former administrative unit of the Indian subcontinent, used primarily, but not exclusively, by the Muslim kingdoms.Parganas were introduced by the Delhi Sultanate, and the word is of Persian origin. As a revenue unit, a pargana consists of several mouzas, which are the smallest...
s of Kamrup
Kamrup
Kamrup district is an administrative district in the state of Assam in India, named after Kamarupa, a name by which Assam was previously known in ancient times. The district, however, is now a small western part of Assam, with a distinctive native Kamrupi culture and dialect . The distinctive...
was vested under various senior officers—Barphukan (Darang, Barbhag and Bangeswar), Paniphukan (Khata and Banbhag), Duara Phukan (Pubpar and Paschimpar), Deka Phukan(Sarubangsar and Kachari-mahal), Chetia Phukan (Ramsa and Sarukhetri), Dayangia Rajkhowa (Bar Khetri), Tar-Salagarua Rajkhowa (Barhanti), Dikhowmukhia Rajkhowa (Chamaria), Pani-Salaguria Rajkhowa (Nagarberha), Pani-Dihingia Rajkhowa (Bagaribari), Tarua-Dihingia Rajkhowa (Barpeta), Namdangia Rajkhowa (Barnagar), Pani-Abhoypuria Rajkhowa (Bajali), Bar-Abhoypuria Rajkhowa (Bekeli) and Saru-Abhoypuria Rajkhowa (Bausi).
During the war, Raja Ram Singh asked his envoy Panditrai--"Well, Panditrai during your visit to Barphukan's camp you must have formed some impression of the Ahom ministers and commanders. Please tell me what you have seen and what you think of them." To this Panditrai replied,--"The Barpatra Gohain, the Bargohain and the Barphukan have all impressed me as wonderfully capable commanders presenting a rare combination of beauty, accomplishment, valour and wisdom. As to Buragohain he is young in years, fair and handsome in features, sober and deep in intelligence, dexterous in all matters, and he rivals all others in soundness of his counsel." Ram Singha commented "It is really wonderful that a man can be so intelligent at this tender age." Panditrai added " The Buragohain is also an arch-diplomat
Diplomat
A diplomat is a person appointed by a state to conduct diplomacy with another state or international organization. The main functions of diplomats revolve around the representation and protection of the interests and nationals of the sending state, as well as the promotion of information and...
." Ram Singha concluded "Who will able to cope with such a minister when he comes to years? Pride should be the heritage of that land where such a counsellor has taken his birth."